Systems For a Shared Vehicle

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a system for automatically adjusting a vehicle feature of a vehicle, where the system includes a first sensor, an onboard computer, a camera, a mirror, a controller; an actuator; and an algorithm. The algorithm instructs the onboard computer in steps for adjusting one or more vehicle features. The first sensor and the controller are in electronic communication with the onboard computer and the controller is in electronic communication with one or more actuators that connect to and adjust the various vehicle features. The onboard computer includes or accesses a database that correlates users, features, and vehicle feature settings. Such vehicle features include seat position and camera viewing angle.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the field of informationtechnology and systems management. More particularly, the presentinvention relates to a shared-use vehicle reservation or rental systemthat automatically adjusts the features of a vehicle to be used by auser in a manner consistent with the user's preferred vehicle featuresettings, assesses interior and exterior condition and content prior toand after a given vehicle user's use of a shared vehicle, and assessesthe maintenance and repair requirements of a shared vehicle on a realtime basis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent years, shared-use vehicle reservation systems have become morecommonplace, especially in urban centers. Generally, a shared-usevehicle system consists of a fleet of vehicles shared amongst a group ofusers wherein no single user exclusively owns a vehicle. A user mayreserve a shared-use vehicle online, for example, and later pick up thereserved vehicle from a specified location. Once finished using thevehicle, the user may return the vehicle to the same or anotherspecified location where it is stored until reservation by another user.

There are both environmental and economic advantages associated withshared-use vehicle systems. For example, participating in a shared-usevehicle system may lower an individual user's transportation costs giventhat vehicle expenses like insurance, maintenance, and car payments arespread across a group of users rather than being absorbed entirely bythe individual user. Further, a shared-use vehicle system may reduce atown's need for vehicle parking spaces. Sharing a vehicle increases thevehicle's utilization rate which in turn reduces the number of vehiclesrequired to meet a community's total travel demand and the idle timespent by a vehicle in a parking space. This characteristic of shared-usevehicle systems makes them particularly advantageous for denselypopulated urban areas where parking spaces are sparse and trafficcongestion is great. Still further, shared-use vehicle systems reducethe environmental impact of vehicles on air quality. The higherutilization rate of a shared-use vehicle enables individualscollectively to afford efficient, environmentally-friendly vehicles,such as electric and hybrid-electric vehicles, that otherwise would becost-prohibitive for an individual.

Although there are numerous social and economic benefits of shared-usevehicle systems, many cities have been slow to adopt them. The conceptof spreading risk across a group of people who do not know each otheris, of course, commonplace; of course, that concept is the fundamentalfeature of insurance products. However, the concept of spreading costacross a group of people is commonplace as well, but that is perhaps dueto the nature of taxation and the apprehension of public good in suchlarge matters as national security, infrastructure, basic researchfunding, and the like. When the subject turns to the quality ofownership of most U.S. citizen's most expensive purchase after his orher home, suffice to say many individuals have been reluctant to forgopersonal ownership of their personal vehicles.

Vehicles are personal to their respective owners, actually providing aplace of refuge in a sense, and are commonly outfitted and stocked inreflection of an owner's specific wants and needs. For these and nodoubt other logical reasons as well as many fanciful reasons beyondnoting, car owners are commonly resistant to the concept of sharedownership in a fleet of vehicles.

An individual's attachment to his or her personal vehicle may result, atleast in part, from customizations that the individual may make to thevehicle. For example, modern vehicles often permit an individual toselect a preferred seat position, rear view mirror angle, steering wheelposition, foot pedal position, seat heater level, dashboard lightinglevel, radio station preset, fan speed, air vent direction, vehiclecompartment temperature, child-proof lock setting, engine parameter,transmission parameter, etc. Often these vehicle feature settings remainfixed until adjusted by a subsequent user of the vehicle. As a result,when an individual returns to his or her vehicle that is used only bythat individual, irrespective of the amount of elapsed time of non-use,the vehicle feature settings will be the same as when the individualleft the vehicle. Beyond the fact that the vehicle contains theindividual's personal effects, the individual commonly feels “at home”upon re-entering the vehicle.

In addition to contributing to an individual's identification with hisor her vehicle, the preferred vehicle feature settings have practicalbenefits as well. Certain positioning of the driver seat, steeringwheel, foot pedals, and rear view mirrors may be necessary for anindividual to safely operate the vehicle. An individual could be at riskif, for example, he or she forgets to adjust the rear view mirror anglein order to view rearward traffic. Moreover, if the driver seat ispositioned too close to the steering wheel, a driver may have difficultygetting into the vehicle.

A need exists, therefore, for a shared-use vehicle that simulates theexperience of personal ownership of the vehicle. Furthermore, a needexists for a shared-use vehicle that automatically adjusts its vehiclefeatures to match the preferred settings of a user who reserves thevehicle.

Offboard and off-board are used interchangeably hereinafter. Onboard andon-board are used interchangeable hereinafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a shared-use vehicle reservation systemthat automatically adjusts the features of a vehicle reserved by a userin a manner consistent with the user's preferred vehicle featuresettings. The vehicle features that may be adjusted by the systeminclude, for example, the steering wheel position, radio station preset,audio equalizer level, driver seat position, passenger seat position,head rest position, foot pedal position, vehicle compartmenttemperature, fan speed, driver seat temperature, passenger seattemperature, rear-view mirror angle, dashboard lighting level, ignitionlock position, air vent direction, door lock position, child-proof locksetting, transmission parameters, and/or engine parameters. As will beimmediately understood by those of the art, the system, materials, andmethods of the present invention are fully applicable to a shared-usereservation system as well as a car rental enterprise having repeatcustomers. Accordingly, the term “shared-use vehicle” is considered nodifferently than a car that is part of a car rental fleet.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a shared-use vehicle has asensor that reads an identifying characteristic or code held by anindividual in close proximity to the vehicle. The shared-use vehicle mayhave a wireless communication device for transmitting informationregarding the identity of the user to a server. The server may match theidentity-directed information of the user with the user's preferredvehicle feature settings and wirelessly transmit this information to thewireless communication device. The shared-use vehicle may have anelectronic control unit for adjusting the vehicle features in accordancewith the user's preferred settings.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a shared-use vehicle hasone or more sensors for determining the settings of vehicle features andan onboard (onboard and on-board are used interchangeably) computer forprocessing information from the sensors regarding a user's preferredvehicle feature settings. The shared-use vehicle of this embodimentoptionally has a wireless communication device for transmitting theuser's preferred vehicle feature settings to a server for storagetherein.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a shared-use vehicle hasa sensor for determining one or more biometric characteristics of auser, an algorithm for determining vehicle feature settings based on thebiometric characteristics of the user, and a controller for adjustingvehicle features in accordance with the vehicle feature settings.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a shared-use vehicle hasa wireless communication device for receiving information from a serverregarding a user's preferred vehicle feature settings and a controllerfor adjusting vehicle features in accordance with the user's preferredsettings.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a shared-use vehicle hasan in-vehicle data receiver that may communicate with a portable storagedevice containing a user's preferred vehicle feature settings. The usermay download his or her preferred vehicle feature settings to theportable storage device from a remote server. The shared-use vehicle inthis embodiment has a controller for adjusting the vehicle features inaccordance with the user's preferred settings.

It is, therefore, an advantage of the present invention to provide ashared-use vehicle that simulates the experience of personal ownershipof the vehicle.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a shared-usedvehicle reservation system that automatically adjusts a reservedvehicle's features in accordance with a user's preferred settings viawireless communication with the reserved vehicle's onboard computer.

A further advantage of the present invention is to provide a shared-usevehicle reservation system that permits a user to download his or herpreferred vehicle feature settings to a portable storage device forupdating a reserved vehicle's feature settings.

A further advantage of the present invention is to provide a shared-usevehicle which wirelessly communicates a user's preferred vehicle featuresetting with a server and/or external database for storage therein.

A further advantage of the present invention is to provide a shared-usevehicle that identifies a user in close proximity to the vehicle andautomatically adjusts the vehicle features in accordance with the user'spreferred settings.

A further advantage of the present invention is to provide a shared-usevehicle reservation system which converts a user's preferred vehiclefeature settings for a first vehicle into vehicle feature settings for asecond vehicle.

A further advantage of the present invention is to provide a vehiclehaving a sensor that determines a user's biometric characteristics, analgorithm for determining optimal vehicle feature settings based on theuser's biometric characteristics, and a controller for adjusting thevehicle features in accordance with the optimal settings.

This summary is provided merely to introduce certain concepts and not toidentify any key or essential features of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an online vehicle reservation system inwhich a user downloads preferred vehicle settings for a reserved vehicleto a portable storage device.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a vehicle feature control system thatcommunicates a user's preferred vehicle feature settings with a portablestorage device.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an online vehicle reservation system thatwirelessly communicates a user's preferred vehicle settings directlywith a reserved vehicle.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a vehicle feature control system thatwirelessly communicates a user's preferred vehicle feature settings withan online vehicle reservation system database and/or remote server.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process in which a user's preferredvehicle settings may be saved on a server and/or external database.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an algorithm for determining a user'spreferred vehicle feature settings based on the biometry of the user.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a vehicle feature control system that usesa biometric sensor.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a vehicle feature control system that usesan identification sensor.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of the process of assessing the interiorcondition of a shared-use vehicle in two parts.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle having a camera that isable to include in its field of view objects located beneath a vehicleseat.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart diagramming a process by which an in-vehiclecamera may obtain a picture of a portion of the vehicle that isobstructed from the camera's direct “line of sight.”

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle having a multi-purposecamera and a mirror/camera actuated control system.

FIG. 13 is a rear view of a vehicle that shows one embodiment of avehicle having multi-purpose cameras mounted on the vehicle's exteriorfor viewing rearward traffic, providing images for a vehicle'sself-guidance system, and/or assessing the condition of the vehicle'sexterior.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart diagramming the process of using an in-vehicleaccelerometer to estimate the wear experienced by a vehicle's brakes.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart diagramming the process of using an in-vehicleaccelerometer to estimate the wear experienced by a vehicle'ssuspension.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart diagramming the process of using a vehicle'sprior locations of travel to estimate the wear experienced by avehicle's components.

FIG. 17 is a top view of a vehicle from the interior depicting thevisual range of sight from driver through mirrors and cameras.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle from the interiordepicting the visual range of sight from driver through mirrors.

FIG. 19 is a top view of a vehicle from the interior depicting thevisual range of sight from driver through mirrors.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view from the interior depicting the visualrange of sight from driver through mirrors and seat positioningparameters.

FIG. 21 is a table having a series of database records depicting themultiple parameters for angles and distances between driver and sear,driver and mirror, and driver and steering wheel.

FIG. 22 is a top view depicting camera viewing angle during drivingmode.

FIG. 23 is a top view depicting camera viewing angle during seat setupmode.

FIG. 24 is a top view depicting camera viewing angle during ride sharingmode.

FIG. 25 is a top view depicting camera viewing angle during vehiclealarm mode.

FIG. 26 is a top view depicting camera viewing angle during passengeralarm mode.

FIG. 27 is a top view depicting camera viewing angle during user entrymode.

FIG. 28 is a top view depicting camera viewing angle during changereservation mode.

FIG. 29 is a side view depicting camera viewing angle during changereservation mode.

FIG. 30 is a rear view depicting camera viewing angle during user entrymode.

FIG. 31 is a top view depicting camera viewing angles during automatedmoving mode.

FIG. 32 is a side view depicting camera viewing angle during automatedmoving mode.

FIG. 33 is a system architecture depicting multiplexing of cameras asall cameras are never needed concurrently in the various modes.

FIG. 34 is a top view depicting multiple cameras in their respective“normal” positions.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart diagramming the process of vehicle sizing whileoperating with shared rides within the fleet of shared vehicles.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart diagramming the process of “cargo” movementwithin the fleet of vehicles.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart diagramming the process of securing especiallyvaluable “cargo” not owned by the driver of the vehicle.

FIG. 38 is a top down view depicting an extension of the PackageManagement System “PMS”.

FIG. 39 is a system architecture of the vehicle and ride sharer displayunits, depicted as a top view only in terms of directional indicators.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With Regard To Feature Adjustment: In general, the present invention isdirected toward a system for adjusting vehicle features in accordancewith a user's preferences. More specifically, the present inventionrelates to a vehicle reservation system that automatically updates areserved vehicle's customizable features with a user's preferred vehiclefeature settings. A vehicle's customizable features include, but are notlimited to, one or more of the following: the steering wheel position,radio station presets, audio equalizer level, driver seat position,passenger seat position, head rest position, foot pedal position,vehicle compartment temperature, fan speed, driver seat temperature,passenger seat temperature, rear-view mirror angle, dashboard lightinglevel, ignition lock position, air vent direction, door lock position,child-proof lock setting transmission parameters, and engine parameters.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart diagramming the process of downloading a user'spreferred vehicle settings to a portable storage device. The processbegins with the user accessing a website for reserving a vehicle from afleet of shared transportation vehicles as shown in step 100. Accessingthe website is synonymous with accessing a data server (a.k.a. server)by wired and wireless methods including WiFi, cellular 3G, cellular 4G,Bluetooth, WiMax, etc. It is recognized that the process of reserving avehicle may be prior to the utilization of the reserved vehicle withsubsequent access to reservation record through data server. It is alsorecognized that the process of reserving a vehicle and driving thevehicle may be immediately sequential in time. Next, a server identifiesand/or authenticates the user in addition to obtaining user profile asshown in step 102. For example, the user may input a login identifierand/or password unique to the user which the server may use to identifyand/or authenticate the user. The user may then reserve a vehicle listedon the website for a particular date, time, pick-up location, and/ordrop-off location as shown in step 104. The particularities related tothe online vehicle reservation processes described in steps 100, 102,and 104 are generally well known and hereby incorporated by reference.

Upon reservation of a vehicle, the server obtains information from adatabase and/or server regarding the reserved vehicle and/or the user'spreferred vehicle feature settings as shown in step 110. The user'spreferred vehicle feature settings may correspond to a type of vehicledifferent from the user's reserved vehicle, as such the user's databaserecord is further indexed by vehicle type. For example, the user mayreserve a type-A vehicle but the user's preferred vehicle settingsstored in the database and/or server may relate to a type-B vehicle.Either the vehicle onboard computer “VOC”, the data server, or the usercommunication device (e.g., smart phone, cellular phone, or YoGo parkingsystem) determines if the user profile already contains a record linkedfor vehicle feature settings corresponding to the reserved vehicle type120. If the vehicle feature settings for the current user are alreadyavailable, the user downloads as shown in step 140 the preferred vehiclefeature settings for the reserved vehicle to a portable storage device(e.g., cellular phone, cellular smart phone, USB drive, etc. as known inthe art). If not known yet for the reserved vehicle type, the VOC, dataserver, or smart phone convert's the user's preferred vehicle featuresettings for known vehicle types by utilizing an algorithm, includingneural networks to calculate the user's preferred feature settings forthis reserved vehicle type as shown in step 130, in such a scenario aprogram may transform the user's preferred vehicle feature settings forthe type-B vehicle into vehicle features settings for the type-Avehicle. The vehicle feature settings for the type-A vehicle maysubstantially replicate the conditions associated with the user'spreferred vehicle feature setting for the type-B vehicle. To accomplishthis result, the program may, for example, use the dimensions of thevehicle compartment, steering wheel, seats, and/or pedals of the type-Bvehicle to determine the spatial relationships between the user and thevehicle features of the type-B vehicle. The program may then determinevehicle feature settings for the type-A vehicle that replicate thespatial relationships of the type-B vehicle by comparing the dimensionsof the type-A vehicle with those of the type-B vehicle.

After the server has obtained the user's preferred vehicle featuresettings for the reserved vehicle, the user may download the preferredvehicle feature settings to a portable storage device as shown in step140. The portable storage device may be any device that may storeelectronic information and may be carried on one's person such as aflash drive, laptop, cellular phone, personal digital assistant, and/orpersonal media player. The manner in which the user's preferred vehiclefeature settings are downloaded and stored in the portable storagedevice is intended to be entirely conventional.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for a vehicle feature control system. Thesystem may include a data receiver 220, electronic control unit 230, andactuators 240 for each vehicle feature. The portable storage device 210may transfer information relating to the user's reservation andpreferred vehicle feature settings to the data receiver 220 wirelesslyand/or through a hard-wired connection. The data receiver, which isinterchangeably referred to as a data transceiver, 220 may verify theidentity of the user and the reservation information by wirelesslycommunicating with the reservation website. The data receiver 220 mayinterface and communicate with the electronic control unit 230. Theelectronic control unit 230 may transform the information relating tothe user's preferred vehicle feature settings into electronic signalswhich control and/or power the actuators 240 for adjusting the vehiclefeatures. The actuators include seat positioning actuators 231, rearviewmirror actuators 232, radio station presets 233, and door/trunk lockactuators 234.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the user's preferredvehicle settings may be transmitted from an external database and/orserver to an in-vehicle onboard computer. FIG. 3 is a flowchartdiagramming the process of wirelessly transmitting a user's preferredvehicle settings to a remote vehicle via the user's portable datadevice. The process begins with the user accessing a vehicle within thefleet of shared vehicles for reserving a vehicle from a fleet of sharedtransportation vehicles as shown in step 300. Step 300 includes thedirect communication between the portable data storage device and theVOC. Next, a server identifies and/or authenticates the user as shown instep 302. For example, the user may input a login identifier and/orpassword unique to the user which the VOC may use to identify and/orauthenticate the user. The user may then reserve a vehicle by way of VOCconfirmation through direct communication, or indicator of availabilityincluding vehicle being parked in a queue of available vehicles (i.e.pick-up location) as shown in step 304. The particularities related tothe online vehicle reservation processes described in steps 300, 302,and 304 are generally well known and hereby incorporated by reference.

Upon entry into the reserved vehicle, the VOC obtains information fromthe portable data storage device or through communication as known inthe art to obtain user preferred vehicle settings for either the exactvehicle type or a range of previously stored preferred feature settingsfor other vehicles previously used vehicle types by the user asindexed/stored in a database and/or server as shown in step 310. Theuser's preferred vehicle feature settings may correspond to a type ofvehicle different from the user's reserved vehicle. In such a scenario,a program may transform the user's preferred vehicle feature settings tocreate similar conditions in the reserved vehicle, as discussed above.After the server has obtained the user's preferred vehicle featuresettings for the reserved vehicle, it may wirelessly transmit datadescribing the preferred vehicle feature settings to the VOC, as shownin step 340. The manner in which the wireless transmission is executedis generally well known to those skilled in the art. Either the vehicleonboard computer “VOC”, the data server, or the user communicationdevice (e.g., smart phone, cellular phone, or YoGo parking system)determines if the user profile already contains a record linked forvehicle feature settings corresponding to the reserved vehicle type 320.If the vehicle feature settings for the current user are alreadyavailable, the user downloads as shown in step 340 the preferred vehiclefeature settings for the reserved vehicle to a portable storage device(e.g., cellular phone, cellular smart phone, USB drive, etc. as known inthe art). If not known yet for the reserved vehicle type, the VOC, dataserver, or smart phone convert's the user's preferred vehicle featuresettings for known vehicle types by utilizing an algorithm, includingneural networks to calculate the user's preferred feature settings forthis reserved vehicle type as shown in step 330, in such a scenario aprogram may transform the user's preferred vehicle feature settings forthe type-B vehicle into vehicle features settings for the type-Avehicle. The vehicle feature settings for the type-A vehicle maysubstantially replicate the conditions associated with the user'spreferred vehicle feature setting for the type-B vehicle.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for a vehicle feature control system havingthe ability to receive wireless communications 400. The system mayinclude an onboard computer VOC 405, electronic control unit 230, andactuators as referenced earlier including seat positioning actuators231, rearview mirror actuators 232, radio station presets 233, anddoor/trunk lock actuators 234. Additional actuators as known in the artfor adjusting each vehicle feature are included as reference. Theonboard computer 405 may interface with an electronic control unit 230and communicate the user's preferred vehicle settings with theelectronic control unit 230. The electronic control unit 230 may controland/or power the actuators 231, 232, 233, and/or 234 for adjusting thevehicle features. Alternatively, the onboard computer 405 maycommunicate directly with and control the actuators 231, 232, 233,and/or 234 for adjusting the vehicle features (not shown in FIG. 4).

The onboard computer 405 may instantaneously transmit a signal to adjustthe vehicle features upon receiving a transmission from the server.Alternatively, the onboard computer 405 may transmit a signal to adjustthe vehicle features only after determining that the vehicle is not inuse. Alternatively, the onboard computer 405 may be connected to asensor which may identify the user when the user is in close proximityto the reserved vehicle. In such an embodiment, the onboard computer 405may store information concerning the identity of the user. Thisinformation may be transmitted wirelessly to the onboard computer 405from the server. The onboard computer 400 may adjust the vehiclefeatures once it has authenticated the identity of the user by comparinginformation from the sensor with user identity information from theserver.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart diagramming the process in which a user'spreferred vehicle settings may be saved on a server and/or databaseexternal to the vehicle. The process begins with the user adjusting thevehicle features to a preferred setting when using the vehicle as shownin step 500. Next, an onboard computer may collect data regarding theuser's preferred vehicle settings by communicating with sensors thatmonitor the position and/or state of the vehicle features as shown instep 510. The onboard computer may then save the user's preferredvehicle settings to a portable storage device such as a flash drive,laptop, cellular phone, personal digital assistant, and/or personalmedia device in step 520. After using the vehicle, the user may removethe portable storage device 530 from the vehicle and connect it to apersonal computer and/or other device with the ability to access theInternet. In step 540, the user may upload the user's preferred vehiclefeature settings saved on the portable storage device to a server and/ordatabase containing information related to a vehicle reservation system.The server and/or database may index the user's preferred vehiclesettings by the identity of the user and type of vehicle as shown instep 550. In another embodiment of the present invention, the onboardcomputer may have wireless communication abilities. After a user hasadjusted the vehicle features to a preferred setting, the onboardcomputer may wirelessly transmit data describing these settings to aserver and/or database containing information related to a vehiclereservation system.

FIG. 6, Scenario A is a flowchart diagramming the process by which analgorithm may automatically determine a user's preferred vehicle featuresettings. The process begins with the user accessing the VehicleReservation System, as known in the art through a website, Internetconnection, or other wired or wireless methods as known in the art forreserving vehicles as shown in step 600. The user may select a vehiclefor reservation after accessing the website. Next, the website mayrequest and the user may input biometric information describing theuser's body dimensions and weight as shown in step 610. Body dimensionalinformation may include, for example, the length of the user's legs,arms, and/or abdomen. The user may also enter information concerning theuser's preferred radio station presets, dashboard lighting levels, andother preferred electronic media settings. Next, an algorithm from theVehicle Reservation System may compare the user's biometric informationwith dimensions of the reserved vehicle to calculate vehicle featuressettings customized for the user unique to that vehicle type of thereserved vehicle 620. For example, the algorithm may determine a seatheight and/or foot pedal position that may permit a user with a certainleg length to reach the foot pedals. Finally, the customized vehiclefeature settings may be stored in a database for later transmittal to avehicle reserved by the user as shown in step 630.

FIG. 6, Scenario B is a flowchart diagramming the process by which analgorithm may automatically determine a user's preferred vehicle featuresettings. The process begins with the user accessing the Vehicle, asshown in step 601 where the user approaches the vehicle. Next, thevehicle may request the user preferred vehicle feature settings, whichmay be communicated by way of portable data storage device.Alternatively, the VOC obtains biometric information describing theuser's body dimensions and weight as shown in step 611. Body dimensionalinformation may include, for example, the length of the user's legs,arms, and/or abdomen. The user may also enter information concerning theuser's preferred radio station presets, dashboard lighting levels, andother preferred electronic media settings. Next, an algorithm from theVehicle Reservation System may compare the user's biometric informationwith dimensions of the reserved vehicle to calculate vehicle featuressettings customized for the user unique to that vehicle type of thereserved vehicle 621. For example, the algorithm may determine a seatheight and/or foot pedal position that may permit a user with a certainleg length to reach the foot pedals. Finally, the customized vehiclefeature settings may be stored in a database for later transmittal to avehicle reserved by the user as shown in step 631.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram for one embodiment of the vehicle featurecontrol system that adjusts vehicle feature settings based on a user'sbiometric characteristics. The system includes a biometric sensor 700,an onboard computer 405, an electronic control unit 230, and actuatorsas referenced earlier including seat positioning actuators 231, rearviewmirror actuators 232, radio station presets 233, and door/trunk lockactuators 234. Additional actuators as known in the art for adjustingeach vehicle feature are included as reference. The sensor 700 may beany sensor having the ability to determine a user's biometriccharacteristics, such as body dimensions, weight, limb length or lengthsif multiple limbs are measured, torso length, or combinations thereof.For example, the sensor 700 can determine the length of a user's legs,arms, and/or torso. The sensor 700 in this embodiment transmitsinformation regarding the user's biometric characteristics to an onboardcomputer 405. The onboard computer 405 uses an algorithm to compare theuser's biometric characteristics with vehicle dimensions in order tocalculate optimal vehicle feature settings for the user. For example,the algorithm may determine a seat height and/or foot pedal positionthat permits a user with a certain leg length to reach the foot pedals.The onboard computer 405 may interface and communicate with anelectronic control unit 230. The electronic control unit 230 cantransform the information regarding the user's preferred vehicle featuresettings into electronic signals which may control and/or power theactuators 231, 232, 233, and/or 234 for adjusting the vehicle features.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram for one embodiment of the vehicle featurecontrol system. In this embodiment, the system adjusts vehicle featuresettings based on the identity of a user. Accordingly, the systemincludes an identification sensor 800, an onboard computer 405, a remoteserver 400, an electronic control unit 230, and actuators 231, 232, 233,and/or 234 for adjusting each vehicle feature as aforementioned. Theidentification sensor 800 may be a voice-recognition sensor, bar codereader, and/or finger print reader, to name a few methods usefullyemployed for personal identity recognition. In an alternativeembodiment, the identification sensor 800 is a radio frequencyidentifier that receives a signal indicating the identity of the userfrom a radio frequency transmitter carried by the user. In that case,the identification sensor 800 transmits information regarding the user'sidentity to the onboard computer 405. The onboard computer 405 cantransmit to the remote server 400 the identity of the user. The remoteserver 400 may contain information regarding the user's preferredvehicle feature settings, in which case this embodiment of the presentinvention would include a wireless communication from the remote serverto the onboard computer 405 to provide these settings to the onboardcomputer 405. in turn, the onboard computer 405 communicates the user'spreferred vehicle feature settings by way of the electronic control unit230. The electronic control unit 230 may transform the informationregarding the user's preferred vehicle feature settings into electronicsignals that control and/or power the actuators 231, 232, 233, and/or234 for adjusting the vehicle features.

With Regard To Camera-Mediated Inspection: In general, the presentinvention is directed toward a system for assessing interior andexterior conditions of a vehicle. More specifically, the presentinvention relates to a shared-use vehicle with the ability to determineif a user has left a personal item within the vehicle and/or if the userhas left the vehicle in a soiled or damaged condition.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart diagramming the process of assessing the interiorcondition of a vehicle and communicating the same to a prior user of thevehicle depicted on two separate pages with linkage occurring at pointA. The process may begin with an in-vehicle sensor(s) identifying that auser has left and/or is about to leave the vehicle as shown in step 900.For example, a driver seat weight sensor may determine that the driverseat is vacant. Alternatively, a user may press a button that signalsthe computer that the user is permanently leaving the vehicle as shownin step 902. Next, the onboard computer may instruct a camera to capturea first picture of the vehicle's interior as shown in step 910. Thecamera may be, for example, a digital camera coupled to the roof of thevehicle compartment. The camera may be centrally located on the roof inorder to view a substantial portion of the vehicle's interior. Thecamera may communicate with the onboard computer through a wired and/orwireless connection. The camera may be coupled to an actuator forrotating the camera. This may permit the camera to take pictures of thevehicle interior over a 360 degree range.

Next, the onboard computer may compare the first picture of thevehicle's interior with a reference picture of the vehicle's interior asshown in step 912. The reference picture may be a picture of thevehicle's interior taken when no foreign objects were present within thevehicle and/or the vehicle interior was clean. Alternatively, thereference picture may be a picture of the vehicle's interior takenimmediately before a user commenced operation of the vehicle. Theonboard computer may use an algorithm to determine if any discrepanciesexist between the first picture and the reference picture as shown instep 918. If discrepancies are present, the algorithm may determine ifthe discrepancies relate to a personal item, refuse item, and/ordiscoloration of the vehicle interior resulting from dirt and/or scum asshown in step 924.

If the personal and/or non-refuse item is present within the vehicle,the onboard computer may instruct the user to remove the non-refuse itembefore permanently leaving the vehicle as shown in step 927. If nodiscrepancies are present the process stops as shown in step 1520. Thevehicle may have a liquid crystal display screen, light emitting diode(LED) indicator, and/or audio device for alerting the user of thepresence of the personal and/or non-refuse item within the vehicle.Next, the onboard computer may determine if the user has permanentlyleft the vehicle as shown in step 930. In the context of a shared-usevehicle, the onboard computer may determine that a user has permanentlyleft the vehicle by ascertaining whether the user's reservation for thevehicle has expired. If the user has permanently left the vehicle, thecamera may capture a second picture of the vehicle interior as shown instep 935. The onboard computer may then use the algorithm to determineif any discrepancies exist between the second picture and the referencepicture as shown in step 938. If discrepancies are present, the onboardcomputer may wirelessly transmit a message to the user via email, forexample, notifying the user of the presence of the personal and/ornon-refuse item within the vehicle as shown in step 944. The onboardcomputer may also wirelessly transmit the second picture to the userand/or a server for storage therein. Next, an automated device may movethe personal and/or non-refuse item to a lockbox for storage until theuser returns to claim the item as shown in step 947. The automateddevice may be a robotic arm that may extend from a storage compartmentlocated in the roof, for example. The robotic arm may have a length thatallows it to reach any portion of the vehicle. The robotic arm may havea gripping mechanism for holding the personal and/or non-refuse itemwhen moving it to the lockbox. The lockbox may be located in thevehicle's trunk and may be accessible through a downward folding rearseat, for example. Alternatively, the lockbox may be located beneath avehicle seat. The onboard computer may lock the lockbox after thepersonal and/or non-refuse item has been placed in the lockbox by therobotic arm. The onboard computer may unlock the lockbox once the userreturns to repossess to the personal and/or non-refuse item.

If the algorithm determines that the discrepancies between the secondpicture and the reference picture do not relate to a personal and/ornon-refuse item, the onboard computer may instruct the user to clean thevehicle's interior as shown in step 951. The vehicle may have a liquidcrystal display screen, light emitting diode (LED) indicator, and/oraudio device for notifying the user that cleaning is required. Next, theonboard computer may determine if the user has permanently left thevehicle as shown in step 954. If user has not permanently left vehicle,the the process stops as shown in step 1520. In the context of ashared-use vehicle, the onboard computer may determine that a user haspermanently left the vehicle by ascertaining whether the user'sreservation for the vehicle has expired. If the user has permanentlyleft the vehicle, the camera may capture a second picture of the vehicleinterior as shown in step 960. The onboard computer may then use thealgorithm to determine if any discrepancies exist between the secondpicture and the reference picture as shown in step 963. If discrepanciesare present, the onboard computer may wirelessly transmit the secondpicture to the user via email, for example, and/or to a server forstorage therein. In the context of a shared-use vehicle, the user may beassessed a penalty fee for leaving the vehicle in an unclean conditionas shown in step 969. If no discrepancies are present the process stopsas shown in step 1520.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle 767 having a camera 270with the ability to view objects beneath a vehicle seat 766. The camera270 may have a line of sight 762 that is redirected by a rear-viewmirror 30 attached to a vehicle's windshield by rear view mirroractuator 232. The rear-view mirror 30 may be the same mirrorconventionally used by a driver to view objects behind a vehicle. Aviewing angle 268 may be formed by the portion of the line of sight 762extending between the camera and the rear-view mirror 30 and the portionof the line of sight 762 extending between the mirror 30 and a viewinglocation. An actuator 232 that adjusts the position and/or tilt of therear-view mirror 30 may be coupled with the mirror 30. The actuator 232may be housed within a support structure that attaches the rear-viewmirror 30 to the windshield. By adjusting the position and/or tilt ofthe mirror 268, the actuator 232 may alter the viewing angle 268 and/orthe viewing location. FIG. 10 shows a configuration of the rear-viewmirror and the camera 270 that results in a viewing location of the areabeneath the driver seat. Other viewing locations may include, but arenot limited to, the area beneath a passenger's seat, a driver'santerior, passenger's anterior, and/or any viewing location obstructedfrom the camera's direct line of sight. In another embodiment of thepresent invention, the mirror 30 may be a side mirror (not shown)coupled with an exterior side panel of the vehicle 767. An actuator (notshown) may be coupled with the side mirror for adjusting the positionand/or tilt of the side mirror. The side mirror may provide the camera270 with a view of the vehicle's side panels, wheels, and/or hubcaps. Inanother embodiment, an actuator (not shown) for adjusting the positionof the camera 270 may be coupled with the camera 270.

In addition, an optimal fixed mirror 299 can be placed at the midpointof the front floor area such that the roof-mounted camera 270 can beactuated to direct its line of sight 762 at the optimal fixed mirror 30,thereby giving the camera 270 a view that includes the underside of thefront portion of the front seat. In one embodiment, the optimal fixedmirror 299 may have a convex shape, thereby permitting the camera 270 toview the full range of the front seat's underside. In anotherembodiment, the optimal fixed mirror 299 encompasses two angles, one fordirecting the camera's line of sight 762 to the left side of the frontseat's underside and one for directing the camera's line of sight 762 tothe right side of the front seat's underside. Similarly, a secondoptimal mirror 764 can be placed at the floor near the vehicle's rearseat such that the camera 270 can be actuated to direct its line ofsight 762 at the second optimal mirror 764, thereby giving the camera270 a view that includes the back portion of the underside of the of thefront seat. Additionally, a light may be provided near the underside ofthe front seat for illuminating the underside of the front seat.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart diagramming the process in which an in-vehiclecamera 270 may obtain a picture of a portion of the vehicle obstructedfrom the camera's direct line of sight. The process may begin with anonboard computer 405 receiving an instruction to obtain a picture of aportion of the vehicle such as the area beneath the driver seat as shownin step 1100. The computer may receive the instruction from an externalserver through which a prior user of the vehicle has requested a pictureof the vehicle's interior. For example, in the context of a shared-usevehicle, a user who has left behind a personal item in the shared-usevehicle may submit a request on a website for the vehicle to transmit apicture of the area beneath the driver seat to the user's email.

Next, an algorithm may determine a viewing angle 762 that may allow thecamera 270 to capture a picture of the area beneath the driver seat asshown in step 1105. The computer 405 may then instruct the mirroractuator 232 to adjust the mirror 30 in a manner to create the viewingangle 762 as determined by the algorithm as shown in step 1110. Next,the camera may capture a picture of the area beneath the driver seatand/or of any other portion of the vehicle and transmit the picture(s)to the computer as shown in step 1115. The computer may then wirelesslytransmit the picture(s) to a server for storage therein and/or transmitthe picture(s) to a prior user of the vehicle via email as shown in step1115. The actuators, which include the aforementioned 231, 232, 233,and/or 234 are controlled using the vehicle electronic control unit 230.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a mirror-camera control system. The systemmay include a front mounted camera 263, a mirror actuator 232, computer405, wireless communication device 1222, server 405, and/or a cameraactuator 1223. The computer 405 may be connected to and/or control themirror actuator 232 and/or the camera actuator 1223. The front mountedcamera 263 may transmit its pictures to the computer 405 via a wired orwireless connection 1222 with the computer 405. This connection may alsoserve as means by which the computer 405 controls the operation of thecamera 263. The computer 405 may interface with a wireless communicationdevice that wirelessly transmits information from the computer 405, suchas pictures from the camera 263 with viewing angle between 762 and 262,to a server as reflected off of the rear mounted mirror 770 havingviewing angle 268.

The vehicle 767 having a multi-purpose camera 263 with the ability toview objects within and surrounding the vehicle 767. The camera 263 maybe attached to a forward portion of the vehicle compartment such as thewindshield. The camera 263 may have a line of sight 762 directed towardthe vehicle's rear that includes both a redirectional mirror 770 andobjects exterior to the vehicle 767. Exterior objects may be visible tothe camera 263 through the vehicle's rear and side windows as visible byline of sight angle 262. The redirectional mirror 770 may be coupledwith a rear portion of the vehicle's interior roof. The redirectionalmirror 770 may redirect the camera's line of sight 262 to a viewinglocation otherwise obstructed from the camera's field of view. Thecamera, camera actuators, and/or redirectional mirror actuators may beautomatically controlled by the vehicle's onboard computer 405. Thevehicle's onboard computer may monitor vehicle operational parameterswhich are measured by sensors commonly found on modern vehicles. Theonboard computer may adjust the position, tilt, and/or zoom of thecamera and/or redirectional mirror in response to a measured vehicleoperational parameter. For example, upon sensing that the vehicle's turnsignal has been activated and that the vehicle is moving, the computermay adjust the position of the camera and/or redirectional mirror suchthat the camera's viewing location includes the vehicle's blind spot. Inanother example, the computer may instruct the camera to record theobjects surrounding the vehicle at various exterior locations uponand/or substantially near the time the computer senses a collisioninvolving the vehicle.

It should be noted that the camera-mirror arrangement in FIG. 12 isfully compatible with the system for assessing the interior conditionsof a vehicle as shown in FIG. 9 and discussed above. Also, thecamera-mirror arrangement in FIG. 12 is fully compatible with the systemfor obtaining a picture of a portion of the vehicle obstructed from thecamera's direct line of sight as shown in FIG. 10 and discussed above.

FIG. 13 shows a vehicle having multi-purpose cameras 264 mounted on thevehicle's exterior for viewing rearward traffic, providing images for avehicle's self-guidance system, and/or assessing the condition of thevehicle's exterior. In one embodiment, the cameras 264 may be located onthe vehicle's side panels and contained within a housing structure. Thehousing structure may have a low aerodynamic profile such that dragcreated by the housing structure is minimized. In another embodiment,the cameras 264 may be coupled to side mirrors typically found onvehicle's driver and passenger-side doors.

Each camera 264 may have lines of sight 610 that includes the exteriorof the vehicle and/or objects surrounding the vehicle. The cameras 264may be offset from the vehicle's side panels such that the cameras 264may have a line of sight 610 that includes the vehicle's side panelsand/or wheels. The camera 264 may have a line of sight 610 substantiallysimilar to the line of sight 610 of a driver using his or herconventional side mirrors. Actuators that adjust the position of thecameras' lines of sight 610 may be attached to the cameras 264. Theactuators may rotate the cameras 264 such that the camera 264 may viewobjects above, below, in front of, behind, and/or adjacent to thevehicle. The actuators may also turn and/or tilt the camera such thatthe cameras' lines of sight 610 include the exterior of the vehicle. Anonboard computer may automatically control the actuators and/or thedriver may manually control the actuators by using an in-vehicle inputunit. When the vehicle is moving and the vehicle's self-guidance systemis not engaged, the computer may automatically position the cameras 264such that they have rearward lines of sight 610.

The vehicle may have an output unit for displaying real-time and/orrecorded images captured by the cameras 264. The output unit may belocated on the vehicle's dashboard or any other location within thedriver's field of view. The output unit may be a cathode ray tube and/ora liquid crystal display screen. When the cameras 264 are positioned toview objects behind the vehicle, the output unit may serve the samefunction as a vehicle's conventional side mirrors by providing thedriver with a view of rearward traffic.

The cameras 264 mounted on the exterior of the vehicle may be integratedwith the system for assessing the condition of a vehicle as shown inFIG. 9 and discussed above. The only difference being that theassessment algorithms may use the images captured by the exteriorcameras 264 to determine damage to the exterior of the vehicle (e.g.dents, scraps, missing hubcaps) and/or cleanliness of the vehicle'sexterior rather than assessing the condition of the vehicle's interior.The cameras 264 mounted on the exterior of the vehicle may also beintegrated with a vehicle's self-guidance system. When a vehicle'sself-guidance system is engaged, the cameras 264 may be directed by theactuators at the road surface. The cameras 264 may capture images oflane stripes 620 adjacent to the vehicle which the self-guidance systemmay use to drive the vehicle within a traffic lane. Alternatively, whena vehicle is within a parking garage, the cameras 624 may be directed bythe actuators at the parking garage's roof 630. The cameras 264 maycapture images of symmetrical structures attached to and/or part of theparking garage roof 630 which the self-guidance system may use to safelydrive the vehicle within the parking garage. Examples of suchsymmetrical structures include lighting fixtures, support beams, and/orutility conduits.

With Regard to Predictive Maintenance Aspects: In general, the presentinvention is directed toward a vehicle predictive maintenance system.More specifically, the present invention relates to a system forassessing the wear of vehicle components based upon the accelerationand/or deceleration of the vehicle and/or a route taken by the vehicle.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart diagramming the process of using an in-vehicleaccelerometer to estimate the wear experienced by a vehicle's brakes.Brake wear may be defined as a decrease in thickness of a brake padand/or rotor. The process may begin with an in-vehicle accelerometermeasuring the translational deceleration of the vehicle as shown in step1500. Translational deceleration may be defined as the rate of decreasein the forward and/or rearward velocity of the vehicle. Theaccelerometer may be connected to a computer which may store thedeceleration measurements made by the accelerometer. The computer may bedisposed within or without the vehicle. Modern vehicles contain manyaccelerometers such as those commonly used by vehicles' anti-lockbraking systems and air-bag systems. The accelerometer used in thepresent invention may be one of those commonly used in modern vehicles.

Next, the computer may determine if the driver of the vehicle wasapplying the brakes at the time of the translational decelerationmeasured by the accelerometer as shown in step 1510. This step may benecessary given that the accelerometer may measure translationaldeceleration due to rolling friction and/or drag forces in addition tothe translational deceleration resulting from application of the vehiclebrakes. Modern vehicles often have sensors for determining if thevehicle's brakes are being applied use such as those commonly used inthe vehicles' ABS and brake-by-wire systems. These sensors oftencommunicate the status of the vehicle's brakes to an in-vehiclecomputer. The present invention may utilize these sensors to determineif the vehicle's brakes were being applied at the time of thetranslational deceleration measured by the accelerometer.

In step 1510, the computer may also determine if the translationaldeceleration was the result of regenerative braking which is commonlyused in electric and hybrid electric vehicles. Regenerative brakingdecelerates a vehicle by converting the vehicle's kinetic energy into astoreable form of energy, such as electricity, rather than dissipatingthe kinetic energy as heat through friction as does a conventional brakepad. Regenerative braking thus does not cause wear to conventional brakepads. The computer may not include translation deceleration due toregenerative braking in its determination of brake wear.

Next, the computer may use an algorithm to estimate the amount of brakewear based on the amount of translational deceleration resulting fromapplication of the vehicle brakes as shown in step 1530. The algorithmmay calculate the force applied to the brakes by multiplying thetranslational deceleration measured by the accelerometer with thevehicle's mass. The algorithm may calculate an impulse experienced bythe brakes by taking the integral of the calculated force with respectto time. The algorithm may use the calculated force, impulse, and/ormaterial properties of the brakes (e.g. hardness, compressive strength,toughness, and/or coefficient of friction) to estimate the amount ofbrake wear.

The algorithm may then determine if a decrease in a brake's thicknessdue to brake wear necessitates replacement of the brakes as shown instep 1540. If replacement of the brakes is required, the computer maynotify the user of a vehicle as shown in step 1560. In the context of ashared-use vehicle, the computer may wirelessly transmit informationregarding brake wear to an external server.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart diagramming the process of using an in-vehicleaccelerometer to estimate the wear experienced by a vehicle'ssuspension. The process may begin with an in-vehicle accelerometermeasuring vertical deceleration and/or acceleration of the vehicle asshown in step 1600. Vertical deceleration and acceleration may bedefined, respectively, as the rate of decrease or increase in thevelocity of the vehicle in a direction orthogonal to the road surface.The accelerometer may be connected to a computer which may store thedeceleration and/or acceleration measurements made by the accelerometer.Modern vehicles contain many accelerometers such as those commonly usedby vehicles' anti-lock braking systems. The accelerometer used in thepresent invention may be one of those commonly used in modern vehicles.

Next, the computer may determine if the vehicle was traversing uneventerrain at the time of the vertical deceleration and/or accelerationmeasured by the accelerometer as shown in step 1610. This step may benecessary given that the accelerometer may measure translationaldeceleration or acceleration due to the vehicle's navigation of adownward or upward sloping road. The computer may use an algorithm tocalculate the impulse (as discussed below) experienced by the vehicle'ssuspension resulting from vertical deceleration and/or acceleration. Thecomputer may determine that the vertical deceleration and/oracceleration is due to uneven terrain such as a pothole, rather than adownward or upward sloping road, by identifying instances of spikes inthe calculated impulse.

Next, the computer may use an algorithm to estimate the amount ofsuspension wear based on the amount of vertical deceleration and/oracceleration resulting from uneven terrain as shown in step 1630. Thealgorithm may calculate the force applied to the suspension bymultiplying the translational deceleration and/or acceleration measuredby the accelerometer with the vehicle's mass. The algorithm may, inturn, use this calculated force to determine the impulse experienced bythe brakes by multiplying the force with the time period during whichthe force was applied. The algorithm may use the calculated force,impulse, and/or material properties of the suspension (e.g., elasticmodulus and/or toughness) to estimate the amount of suspension wear.

The algorithm may then determine if the amount of vehicle wearnecessitates replacement of the suspension as shown in step 1640. Ifreplacement of the suspension is required, the computer may notify theuser of a vehicle as shown in step 1660. In the context of a shared-usevehicle, the computer may wirelessly transmit information regardingsuspension wear to an external server.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart diagramming the process of using a vehicle'sprior locations of travel to estimate the wear experienced by avehicle's components. The process may begin with a computer processingand/or storing information describing a vehicle's geographic locationfrom a global positioning sensor as shown in step 1700. The computer maystore the geographic locations and their associated time stamps for aroute traveled by a vehicle. It should be noted that the computer may bedisposed within or without the vehicle.

Next, the computer may determine road and/or traffic conditions of thevehicle's prior geographic locations. For example, the computer may usetraffic reports to determine the traffic congestion of a prior routetraversed by the vehicle as shown in step 1710. The computer may usemaps to determine the number of traffic lights and/or stop signs throughwhich the vehicle traveled along a prior route as shown in steps 1720.The computer may also use maps to determine if a high variance in speedlimits existed along the vehicle's prior route thereby requiring thedriver to frequently increase and/or decrease the vehicle's speed asshown in step 1730. The computer may also use maps of potholes, such asthose provided by Google Maps, to determine if a high number of potholesexisted along a vehicle's prior route as shown in step 1740. Thecomputer may also use maps to determine the composition of the roadsurface along a vehicle's prior route as shown in step 1740. The roadand/or traffic conditions along a vehicle's prior route used todetermine vehicle wear are not limited to those described in steps1710-1740 and may include any road and/or traffic condition affectingthe use and/or wear of the vehicle. Furthermore, weather conditionsexisting along a vehicle's prior route and/or the distance travel by avehicle along a prior route may be used to determine vehicle wear.

Next, the computer may use an algorithm to estimate the amount of damageand/or wear sustained by the vehicle based on the road and/or trafficconditions along the vehicle's prior route as shown in steps 1750 and1760. For example, the algorithm may estimate an amount of suspensionwear based on the number of potholes and/or the composition of the roadsurface along a vehicle's prior route. The algorithm may estimate a highdegree of brake wear if the vehicle has traveled through a substantialnumber of traffic lights, stop signs, and/or heavily congested roadsalong its prior route. The algorithm may also calculate a high degree oftransmission wear based on these conditions given that the frequentchanges in speed required by stop-and-go traffic which results innumerous transmission gear changes. Based on the degree of vehicle wearestimated by the algorithm, the computer may determine vehiclemaintenance actions such as replacement of brake pads, engine oil,transmission fluid, tires, and/or suspensions components, for example.

In the context of a shared-use vehicle, the computer may compare theestimation of vehicle wear determined in steps 1750 and 1760 with actualvehicle wear measured by in-vehicle sensors as shown in step 1770.Actual vehicle wear may be determined directly by brake pad thicknesssensors, for example, or indirectly by the processes discussed inregards to FIGS. 14 to 16. If the actual vehicle wear is greater thanthe estimation of vehicle wear based on the vehicle's prior route, theuser of the vehicle may be assessed an “abuse” fee.

FIG. 17 is a top interior view of the shared vehicle. A user that is adriver 1701 sitting in front seat 40 has the position of rearview mirror30 and sideview mirror 10 positioned to the user's preferred vehiclesettings. The VOC 405 in conjunction with mirror actuator positionfeedback and/or interior user facing camera calculate the preferredvehicle settings into parameters that are subsequently stored within theuser profile for the specific vehicle type. These parameters aredepicted in FIG. 17-FIG. 21. As shown in FIG. 17, angle A is the viewingangle between the passenger head 1701 and the rearview mirror 30; angleB is the viewing angle between the passenger head 1701 and the sideviewmirror 10; angle D is the viewing angle between the side of the sharedvehicle and the outward angle required to view the blindspot when usinga side mounted camera 20; angle C is the viewing angle between the sideof the shared vehicle and the outward angle required to view theblindspot when using the side mirror 10; and length E is the distancefrom the dashboard 90 to the front seat 40.

FIG. 18 is a side view of the interior depicting the rearview mirror 30and the angle F between the ceiling 50 of the shared vehicle.

FIG. 19 is a top view of the interior depicting the rearview mirror 30and the angle G between the rearview mirror 30 and the horizon 50.

FIG. 20 is a side view from the user (driver) door side depicting thenumerous parameters for accurate positioning of the seat, seat angle 76,mirror 30 angle 72, steering wheel 73, distance 71 from the mirror 30 tothe back of the front seat, distance 74 between the bottom of the mirror30 and the top of the front seat, distance 75 between the shared vehiclefloor and the bottom of the front seat, distance 77 between the front ofthe shared vehicle cabin and the lumbar position of the front seat,distance 78 between the front of the shared vehicle cabin and front ofthe lower portion of the front seat, distance 79 between the acceleratorpedal and the front of the lower portion of the front seat, distance 81between the accelerator pedal and the front of the lower portion of thefront seat.

FIG. 21 The VOC 405 utilizes a combination of known vehicle seatdimensions (e.g., lumbar, bottom front portion, range of angle betweenlumbar portion and bottom front portion, accelerator pedal position) andactuator positions to calculate all aforementioned distances and angles,These parameters are stored within a database for each vehicle typeincluding virtual angles and virtual dimensions utilized to enableaccurate prediction of user preferred vehicle settings for vehicles inwhich the user has never driven.

FIG. 22-FIG. 32 depicts the camera viewing angle for the front camera263, middle camera 270, rear camera 265, and side camera 264 for eachshared vehicle (showing tires as 266) operating mode. FIG. 22 depictsthe driving mode where front camera 263 is forward facing, middle camera270 is rear facing (operable as rearview mirror), rear camera 265 isbackward facing, and side camera 264 is backward facing towardsblindspot.

FIG. 23 depicts the seat setup mode where front camera 263 is rearfacing, middle camera 270 is front facing, rear camera 265 is backwardfacing, and side camera 264 is backward facing towards blindspot.

FIG. 24 depicts the ride sharing mode where front camera 263 is sidewaysfacing, middle camera 270 is rear facing (operable as rearview mirror),rear camera 265 is backward facing, and side camera 264 is backwardfacing towards blindspot. The front camera is operable at an angle tosee passenger entering the shared vehicle in which the door 295 is open.The middle camera angle may also vary the angle in accordance to thedoor that is ajar. The visual record obtained is a combination of theside camera 264, the front camera 263, and the middle camera 270creating a panoramic view around the shared vehicle.

FIG. 25 depicts the vehicle alarm mode where front camera 263 issideways facing at least one of the two front doors, middle camera 270is sideways facing at least one of the two rear doors and/or rearfacing, rear camera 265 is backward facing, and side camera 264 isbackward facing towards blindspot. Any of the cameras is preferableoperable at an angle to see person entering the shared vehicle in whichthe door 295 is open. The middle camera angle may also vary the angle inaccordance to the door that is ajar. The visual record obtained is acombination of the side camera 264, the front camera 263, the middlecamera 270, and the rear facing camera 265 creating a panoramic viewaround the shared vehicle.

FIG. 26 depicts the passenger alarm mode where front camera 263 beginsat a rear facing position and scans thereafter between the left andright front doors, the middle camera 270 begins as rear facing and scansbetween the two rear doors and then forward facing to view the frontalexterior area of the shared vehicle, rear camera 265 is backward facing,and side camera 264 is backward facing towards blindspot. Any of thecameras is preferable operable at an angle to see passengers within theshared vehicle and preferentially is positioned towards the door 295that is open. The middle camera angle may also vary the angle inaccordance to the door that is ajar. The visual record obtained is acombination of the side camera 264, the front camera 263, the middlecamera 270, and the rear facing camera 265 creating a panoramic viewaround the shared vehicle. It is understood in the art that any of thecameras viewing angle can scan by either mechanically moving the cameraposition through the use of camera actuators, electronically by moving alens reflector, or optically by zooming in or out within a wide viewingangle (including the use of a fish eye lens).

FIG. 27 depicts the user entry mode where front camera 263 begins at arear facing position and scans thereafter between the left and rightfront doors, the middle camera 270 begins as rear facing and scansbetween the two rear doors and then forward facing to view the frontalexterior area of the shared vehicle, rear camera 265 is backward facing,and side camera 264 is backward facing towards blindspot. Any of thecameras is preferable operable at an angle to maximize visibility withinthe shared vehicle and preferentially is positioned towards the door 295that is open. The middle camera angle may also vary the angle inaccordance to the door that is ajar. The visual record obtained is acombination of the side camera 264, the front camera 263, the middlecamera 270, and the rear facing camera 265 creating a panoramic viewaround the shared vehicle. It is understood in the art that any of thecameras viewing angle can scan by either mechanically moving the cameraposition through the use of camera actuators, electronically by moving alens reflector, or optically by zooming in or out within a wide viewingangle (including the use of a fish eye lens).

FIG. 28 depicts the top view for the change reservation mode where frontcamera 263 begins at a rear facing position and scans thereafter betweenthe left and right front doors and between the bottom of the front seatto the top of the front seat, the middle camera 270 begins as rearfacing and scans between the two rear doors and between the bottom ofthe rear seat and the top of the rear seat, then forward facing to viewthe front of the cabin area of the shared vehicle scanning between thedashboard, the accelerator/decelerator pedal area and the front floormat area, rear camera 265 is forward facing whereas the trunk of theshared vehicle is open and the rear camera views the interior of thetrunk, and side camera 264 is backward facing towards blindspot whereasthe side camera 264 provides a visual record of the front portion of theshared vehicle exterior. Any of the cameras is preferable operable at anangle to see interior within the shared vehicle and preferentially ispositioned towards the seats (as the majority of damage occurs onseats). The middle camera angle may also vary the angle in accordance tothe user as driver and prior passenger location. The visual recordobtained is a combination of the side camera 264, the front camera 263,the middle camera 270, and the rear facing camera 265 creating apanoramic view within the interior of the shared vehicle. It isunderstood in the art that any of the cameras viewing angle can scan byeither mechanically moving the camera position through the use of cameraactuators, electronically by moving a lens reflector, or optically byzooming in or out within a wide viewing angle (including the use of afish eye lens).

FIG. 29 depicts the side view for the change reservation mode wherefront camera 263 begins at a rear facing position and scans thereafterbetween the left and right front doors and between the bottom of thefront seat to the top of the front seat, the middle camera 270 begins asrear facing and scans between the two rear doors and between the bottomof the rear seat and the top of the rear seat, then forward facing toview the front of the cabin area of the shared vehicle scanning betweenthe dashboard, the accelerator/decelerator pedal area and the frontfloor mat area, rear camera 265 is forward facing whereas the trunk 265of the shared vehicle is open and the rear camera views the interior ofthe trunk, and side camera 264 is backward facing towards blindspotwhereas the side camera 264 provides a visual record of the frontportion of the shared vehicle exterior. Any of the cameras is preferableoperable at an angle to see interior within the shared vehicle andpreferentially is positioned towards the seats (as the majority ofdamage occurs on seats). The middle camera angle may also vary the anglein accordance to the user as driver and prior passenger location. Thevisual record obtained is a combination of the side camera 264, thefront camera 263, the middle camera 270, and the rear facing camera 265creating a panoramic view within the interior of the shared vehicle. Itis understood in the art that any of the cameras viewing angle can scanby either mechanically moving the camera position through the use ofcamera actuators, electronically by moving a lens reflector, oroptically by zooming in or out within a wide viewing angle (includingthe use of a fish eye lens).

FIG. 30 is a side view from the rear of the shared vehicle depicting theside camera 264 facing the user as driver entry position such that theVOC 405 utilizes the visual record of the user for the purpose of: a)biometric data such that VOC 405 calculates driver height, weight, lowerbody portion (from waist to the floor), torso height, arm length, inseamlength, etc. b) compare biometric data acquired to user profile suchthat factors including high-heels, boots, etc enable the VOC 405 to makeadjustments to the user preferred vehicle settings accordingly, c)verification of user (as driver), and d) anti-theft deterrent.

FIG. 31 is a top view of automated movement mode depicting three sharedvehicles 1, 2, and 3 in relative position to each other. The side camerais rear facing to view blindspot and notably the angle between sharedvehicles (as shown between vehicle #1 and #3), the rear camera isbackward facing to view vehicle behind it and notably the distancebetween shared vehicles (as shown between vehicle #1 and #2), and frontcamera is forward facing to further validate the distance between sharedvehicles (as shown between vehicle #1 and #2).

FIG. 32 is a side view of automated movement mode as an alternative modein which a camera 3201 mounted above the shared vehicles is operable toscan the contents within the trunk, the forward facing camera 263 ofshared vehicle #2 is also operable to scan the contents within the trunkof the shared vehicle in front, and lastly depicts a representativecommunications link to enable VOCs of each respective vehicle tocommunicate exchanging visual images (i.e., pictures) taken by onevehicle's cameras to the other vehicle.

A user of a shared-use vehicle may often travel the same route with theshared-use vehicle every day, for example, by commuting to and from aworkplace. In such a situation, the computer may average the actual wearsustained by the vehicle resulting from traversing this same route. Ifthe actual wear sustained by the vehicle substantially exceeds theaverage actual wear associated with the route, the user may be assessedan “abuse” fee. In another embodiment, the computer may average theactual wear sustained by a number of vehicles operated by a number ofusers who have all traversed the same route. A subsequent user whotravels this same route and whose vehicle incurs actual vehicle wear inexcess of the average actual vehicle wear may be assessed an “abuse”fee.

The onboard computer 405 may contact a Package Management System (PMS)to take care of further details regarding personal items left behind bythe user. The PMS would contact the user about whether or not the userneeded the package immediately. The package could then be moved to anoffboard storage area so that the car would then be free to be used bysomeone else.

FIG. 33 is a system schematic view, depicting explicitly components thatwere implied in earlier figures and in the specification. The VehicleOnboard Computer 405 is connected as known in the art, whether byphysical communications or wireless communications, to the Vehicle UserIdentification System “VUID” 800 and the Vehicle Electronic Control Unit“VECU” 230 for control of the major components recognized within amodern vehicle (though not depicted, e.g., engine, anti-lockbrakes,etc.) plus specific components particularly noted in theinvention which are Camera Multiplexer 2000, Camera Actuators 2010,Door|Trunk Lock Actuators 234. The Camera Actuators 2010 are provided tochange the view angle (or to scan) as a function of the vehicle mode.The Camera Multiplexer 2000 is utilized in similar manner as known inthe art, but in the invention is critical to reducing the cost of alarge number of cameras. This is feasible as there are no circumstancesin which all cameras are needed concurrently within any individualvehicle mode. The Driver Display Unit 2020 is any one (or series) ofgraphical user interfaces as known in the art, furthermore the widerange of user inputs (e.g., touch, multi-touch, haptic feedback, etc.)are anticipated. The Camera Multiplexer 2000 switches the video signalbetween the respective cameras 264, 263, 270, and 265 (plus any othercamera that is not utilized on a continuous basis, though not depicted).It is understood that the Camera Multiplexer 2000 can have multipleconcurrent feed streams, though the number of concurrent feed streamswill always be at least one less than the total number of camerasconnected to the Camera Multiplexer 2000. The Camera Actuators 2010moves the camera to switch the viewing angle such that any of theconnected cameras which are at least cameras 264, 263, 270, and 265 inaccordance to the vehicle mode and/or the entry/exit of passengers forride-sharing and/or acceptance/discharge of packages to be transportedwhether it be in the generally utilized trunk or in more securetrunk/container having controlled access. The Door|Trunk Lock Actuators234 control, as note though not depicted, at least one door of thevehicle and/or at least one trunk of the vehicle. The position of therespective actuators is in accordance to the various vehicle modes withthe specific purpose of controlling access and/or providing security,but always within the rules/logic in accordance to the vehicle operatingmode.

FIG. 34 is a top down view of the vehicle. In FIG. 34, the placement ofthe various cameras (as defined earlier) noted as camera 264, 263, 270,and 265. A track guide 271 exists, though not always required, toprovide a controlled movement plane for the cameras to extend theviewing angle as compared to a fixed stationary point (even with thepresence of the aforementioned camera actuators). The tires 266 arepresent to simply provide relative placement of the cameras inrelationship to the vehicle.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart for vehicle sizing. In FIG. 35 are the sequentialprocesses for the user accessing the data server remotely (e.g.,website, internet, cellular phone, etc.) as known in the art to reservea vehicle 3500. The user reserves/requests a vehicle through the dataserver 3510, though in the majority of cases the vehicle size is notselected but rather determined by the data server 3510. The data serverfirst determines the projected storage and rider space required for thetrip 3520. One the projected space storage and space requirements areknown (or at least anticipated), the data server 3510 accesses thedatabase containing the vehicle storage capacities for vehiclesavailable (or projected to be available) 3530. A decision block issubsequently processed based on the matching of storage spacerequirements to available space 3540. Vehicles having sufficient spaceavailable within the pool of vehicle candidates have those vehiclescontained within the set, with further down-selection based on the userprofile preferences 3550. When insufficient space is available, the dataserver 3510 makes a vehicle recommendation based on the storage spaceneeded 3560. Alternatively, the vehicle space requirements are adjustedby utilizing alternative vehicle as transport independent.

The data server 3510 is used to determine if the storage of a vehicle isbeing used to capacity. If the storage area is not being used tocapacity the Package Management System “PMS” system determines whatpackages are available to be sent to the destination of the vehicle. ThePMS system will determine what security measures are needed and thepackages will be stored in the vehicle accordingly. The PMS system willthen send that information to the VOC. If the driver will be using thetruck the packages are stored in locked compartments under the seats. Ifthe driver will only be using interior storage the packages will bestored in the trunk and the trunk will remain locked. If the driver isusing part of the trunk the packages can be stored in lockedcompartments within the trunk. The driver will not be made aware thatthere are packages stored in the car.

FIG. 36 is a logic flowchart as used for both vehicle sizing and alsofor securing packages (i.e., interchangeably used with containers). Thevehicle, which has a fixed storage capacity comprised of at least onestorage device. The 1st storage is referred to as the trunk (or boot). A2nd storage is another storage device preferably utilized as providingmore secure access to packages, such as when driver and/or passengersshould have either controlled access or no access to packages within the2nd storage compartment. It is understood that either the 1st storage orthe 2nd storage interchangeably. Also that either the driver, thepassenger, or yet another person has controlled access is anticipated bythe disclosed invention.

In the disclosed invention, the Package Management System “PMS” controlsthe movement of packages/containers from one physical place to anotherby way of the vehicle. When the Vehicle capacity is greater than theStorage capacity needed 3600, the PMS determines if any, and whichpackages can be down-selected for movement along the vehicle/users route3610. In the event that the PMS doesn't locate any package candidates3630, the PMS returns a null value for each of the parameters (width ofcollective boxes into 1.X, depth of collective boxes into 1.Y, and totalvolume of collective boxes into 1.m3) 3640 here as indicated for the 1ststorage. The PMS coordinates the movement of the packages X.1 into the1st storage “trunk” Storage 1 3650. The PMS then modifies the accessprivileges accordingly, in this instance since the User's packages arenot in the 1st Storage, this particular User does not gain access to 1stStorage by setting Access Storage.1 to null value (i.e., false). In thisinstance the package(s) are able to be accessed by User in the 2ndStorage 3680.

The process above is representative of packages, and is repeated whenpackages are either reserved, full. or controlled access is desiredwithin the 1st storage; therefore the PMS utilizes the Storage 2 withoutimpacting the driver/User's access to the 1st Storage “trunk”. The PMSmoves packages, as known in the art (e.g., ASRS) into Storage 2 3670 andsets the access privileges accordingly as 3690.

It is further understood that each vehicle can have more storage devicesthan the 2 indicated, and that the PMS can control access to each of thestorage devices. And furthermore, the PMS can in fact request a largervehicle to be utilized to transport packages between at least 2 pointseven when the vehicle passenger capacity is in excess than the actualpassenger (rider/user) requirement for any one routing segment or theentire route for the selected vehicle.

FIG. 37 is a simple process flow chart indicating logic for packagesthat exceed a dollar threshold 3700. In FIG. 37 the packages beingstored in the vehicle are worth more than a determined dollar amount. Ifthe package is more than that dollar amount than the storage area willnot unlock until the package is at the expected location and theexpected person or robot is there to collect it. The location and theauthorized retriever will have electronic sensors that the VOC willrecognize and communicate to the Package Management System which willcommunicate back whether or not the locks should be open. The VehicleHost Sensor 3710 is at least one sensor and anticipated to be asophisticated control system to recognize the presence of a VehicleAuthorized Retriever 3720 within an approved geofence for the specificvehicle and/or storage compartment. If the Vehicle Host Sensor 3710either fails to detect the presence of any user, or the detected“retriever” is not authorized for access, the Lock actuators remainedlocked 3750. Only when a Vehicle Authorized Retriever 3720 is bothdetected and within the allowed proximity of either the vehicle and/orpackage storage compartment geofence are overlapping.

It is further understood that the PMS is anticipated to have asophisticated set of rules that enable access to packages stored withinthe vehicles compartments/storage devices such that a Vehicle AuthorizedRetriever could be a relative, friend, or secondary authorized person.It is further understood that more detailed procedures are anticipatedfor increasing value of the package contents, including access furtherlimited by requiring the vehicle to be within specific locations(identified by geofences) for the vehicle itself and/or the VehicleAuthorized Retriever.

FIG. 38 is a top down view depicting an extension of the PackageManagement System “PMS”. FIG. 38 depicts the aforementioned camera(s)264 and tires 266 in addition to the newly depicted 1st storage (akatrunk) 3871 and at least one second storage 3872. The PMS has anautomated method of removing either the storage device itself or simplythe packages within the storage device such as shown by a robot/shuttle3890. The robot/shuttle 3890 has the ability to either transfer or takethe removed packages to a Stationary Local Storage 3895 (or to removefrom the 3895 and place into the vehicle storages 3871 or 3872) inaccordance to the logic within the PMS.

FIG. 39 is a cartoon view, with the exception of a top down view for thevector directional map portion, depicting interaction between vehicleand an entering passenger/rider. FIG. 39, within the top portion,depicts a vehicle showing camera(s) 264, tires 266, and a vehicle vectordetector system 111 capable of showing the directional vector betweenthe vehicle and an external (relative to the vehicle) object. Thevehicle has a geofence 3810 that establishes an active zone(s) in whichthe vehicle vector detector system 111 actively seeks and indicates therelative position of objects having known in the art methods todetermine distance (in at least 1 dimensional space, though preferablyin a 3 dimensional space). The vehicle has both a Driver Display Unit2020 (can integrate a user interface) in bi-directional communication tothe Vehicle Onboard Computer 405. The Driver Display Unit 2020 has thecapability to show a wide range of common vehicle parameters as known inthe art, but notably a vector directional system to indicate thepresence (and distance) of objects programmed to be sought. The VehicleOnboard Computer 405 has either or both of a computer program or controlsystem that operates a location based system with integral languageaddressing at least two geofences and their inter-relationship (e.g.,approaching, leaving, overlapping, etc.). The bottom portion of thefigure is from the user/passenger perspective. The user/passengerinteracting with the vehicle, whether directly with the Vehicle OnboardComputer 405 or remotely through wireless methods as known in the art(e.g., cellular, WiFi, etc.) to a data server program (not depicted). Assuch, the user/passenger has a User Display Unit 2030 that has a widerange of interactive buttons (not depicted) and notably a user vectordirectional system 999 that shows the active relative position of thevehicle. The user has a geofence 3800 that is an active region for theuser, such that an externally interacting system or amicroprocessor/computer in communication or co-located with the UserDisplay Unit 2030. One representative interaction between the twogeofences respectively of the vehicle 3810 and the user/passenger 3800is depicted by the overlapping area 3820.

The ride sharing management system has the inventive feature ofproviding active vector directional control and at least one geofencefor enabling the safe and effective ability for user/passengers to enterthe vehicle that will transport the boarding user/passenger to a “next”destination.

Each display, both the vehicle and the user respectively show a pictureof the user/passenger to board the vehicle and a picture of the driver(and/or other fellow passengers). It is preferable for each display tohave a “safe” indicator so that both the driver and/or theuser/passenger know that it is safe for the user/passenger to enter thevehicle. Furthermore, it is particularly preferred that the VehicleOnboard Computer 405 prevents the vehicle from moving until theuser/passenger has safely entered the vehicle and doesn't move untilsuch time at a minimum that the doors of the vehicle are closed. Onesuch indicator is that the user/passenger position is entirely withinthe vehicle or at a minimum the user/passenger has fully left theexternal portion of the vehicle geofence 3810.

In FIG. 39 the data server contacts a Rider Management system. In thisdocument, rider and passenger will be used interchangeably. The dataserver determines if there is room in the car for passengers and if theactual driver is willing to ride share. The data server contacts theRide Management System to determine if there are any riders scheduledfor the same route. The RMS system then sends pictures of the riders toVOC and drivers cell phone. The cameras in the car take a picture of thedriver and send the picture to the RMS to send to the designated riders.When the driver arrives at the location to pick up the riders thecameras take a picture of the riders and compare the picture thepictures sent by the RMS. If they are the same the lock actuators areset to unlock. The cameras then take as store periodic pictures of theinterior of the car so if there are discrepancies when the finalphotographs are taken the system has documented who left non-refuse orrefuse materials in the car. Pictures of the passenger areas arephotographed when the riders leave the car.

It is further understood by the combination of figures, that the vehiclelock actuator for the vehicle door(s) having the “normal” operations asknown in the art, but notably added per the disclosed invention is thatthe vehicle lock actuator locks/unlocks the door(s) in combination withvehicle conditions AND the vehicle location indicating global positionby GPS as known in the art. And also in conjunction with theuser/passenger boarding (or leaving) the vehicle with the user/passengerlocating indicated by global position by GPS as known in the art. Thereference to the GPS is understood to include indoor GPS, or any othermethod as known in the art to establish the relative vector distances(in at least 1 axis) between the vehicle and the user/passenger/rider.

An exemplary of the full system in operation is as follows, but it isnot restrictive in terms of individual operations or collectiveoperations. The shared-use vehicle management system has a fleet ofvehicles that are available to be driven by an actual driver orproviding ferry services for passenger(s)/user(s)/rider(s) which areused interchangeably. Any individual vehicle can be driven by any set ofpotential drivers (also referred to as candidate drivers, such that atleast two candidate drivers exist referred to in principle as a firstdriver, a second driver, etc.). Any of the vehicles is outfitted with atleast one storage compartment (i.e., trunk, partitioned lockers, etc.),an onboard computer, a controller to at least control lock actuators onthe storage compartment(s) to remotely lock and/or unlock the storagecompartment(s) and therefore provide selective access to the packageswithin the storage compartments to only authorized retriever(s) of thosepackages. The authorized retriever(s) can be a driver, a passenger, or a3^(rd) party operator of an offboard storage system that has the abilityto automate at least the storage of the package(s) from the shared-usevehicle to the offboard storage system (or vice-versa) and preferablyautomate the removal (or placement) of package(s) from the shared-usevehicle as known in the art (e.g., robots, shuttles, cranes, etc.). Thesystem as a whole, or individually through the onboard computercommunicates with a controller, such that the location of the actualdriven vehicle, the location of the actual driver (oruser/passenger/rider/3^(rd) party operator) are within allowabletolerance. The use of geofences, as known in the art, controlaccessibility to packages to only authorized users of the system. Tothat end, enabling geofence(s) and disabling geofence(s) exist. Thecontroller utilizes these respective geofences to enable the lockactuator to lock/unlock the at least one storage compartment andtherefore to control access of the storage compartments only to theauthorized user. Even an authorized user is limited to being inside ofthe at least one enabling geofence or outside of the disabling geofence,or vice-versa (outside of enabling geofence, or inside the disablinggeofence).

The inclusion of at least two cameras that have multiple functionalityenable the cost of the camera to be amortized across both a forwardfacing field of view and a rear facing field of view. An actuator movebetween the forward facing field of view and at least the rear facingfield of view (which can also further include a field of view thatspecifically sees or preferably tracks the position of a user enteringthe vehicle through the use of a local GPS method having at a minimumthe ability to establish a relative directional vector between thevehicle and the user). The preferred embodiment enables both the driverand the user entering the vehicle to clearly see relative location suchas through a directional vector (and specifically preferred is thedistance between the vehicle and the entering user, and moreparticularly preferred incorporates the relative velocity of each) whichis displayed on a vehicle display unit for the driver and a user displayunit for the user entering (or otherwise interacting) the vehicle. Thesystem integrates a control algorithm to instruct through the onboardcomputer rules/logic in sequential steps including the adjusting of oneor more positions and view angles of the cameras. The cameras also serveas real-time visual cues to the driver and the user entering thevehicle. The controller and the vehicle display unit are in electroniccommunication with the onboard computer and the controller is inelectronic communication with the at least two multifunctional camerasactuator to vary camera position configured for each of the at least oneoperating mode(s).

Relative position (i.e., directional vectors) or simply the presencewithin a close proximity to the vehicle can also be established througha host sensor detecting at least one of the presence of the userentering the actual driven vehicle or the presence of the actual drivenvehicle. The method of obtaining the location of actual driven vehicleis either an onboard global positioning system in the shared-usevehicle, a global positioning system on the user entering the shared-usevehicle, a known location of a host sensor detecting the presence of theshared-use vehicle, or a known location of a host sensor detecting thepresence of the user entering the shared-use vehicle as known in theart.

The optimal embodiment of the invention integrates at least one geofencefor a user onboard the shared-use vehicle (i.e., driver), a useroffboard the vehicle (i.e., authorized user), or an automated robotoperating as an authorized retriever to place or remove packages to/fromthe shared-use vehicle. The utilization of geofences is the preferredmethod of establishing authorization to an authorized retriever withinthe context of overlapping geofences.

The shared-use vehicle is also utilized to transport packages forstrangers (i.e., non-related 3^(rd) parties, user void of an actualdriver, or at least one user that is a non-driver) where the non-driverhas a user compartment with a compartment volume for at least onepackage to be stored within the vehicle having a vehicle volume for theat least one storage compartment of the shared-use vehicle. The storagecompartment can be designated on a fixed basis for the non-driver, orpreferably can be assigned on a variable basis for the non-driver (i.e.,user). The Package Management System “PMS” utilizes the aggregate volumeof packages determined to be optimally transported along the determinedrouting of the vehicle by utilizing a vehicle sizing controller thatdetermines a minimum size vehicle (which becomes assigned to an actualdriver, and is referenced now as the actual driven vehicle). The PMS inconjunction with the vehicle sizing controller determines volumerequirements for the user compartment volume of the non-driver, and thevehicle sizing controller determines an identifier for the actual drivenvehicle selected, and the shared-use vehicle management systemcoordinates the convergence within an overlapping geofence at aconcurrent time between the actual driven vehicle's geofence, thegeofence of the at least one package to be stored within the actualdriven vehicle, and an authorized retriever to move the at least onepackage to the actual driven vehicle.

The authorized retriever can be for any of the vehicle compartments suchas the first compartment or the second compartment, with accessibilitybeing exemplary as first compartment accessible by actual driver andsecond compartment accessible by authorized retriever. The compartmentaccessibility is in part controlled by the host sensor (with a knownabsolute or relative position) establishing the host location and a hostgeofence (determining a region beyond a pin-point resolution or allowingfor acceptable location error tolerance). The vehicle's storagecompartment also has a location and a geofence, such that the controllerlocks/unlocks through the lock actuator to enabled when the hostgeofence is overlapping with the at least one storage compartmentgeofence.

An important embodiment of the invention is the use of an offboardstorage compartment, a queue for the vehicle selected, a queue for thepackage to be stored within at least one storage compartment on thevehicle, and a queue for the automated retriever to transport thepackage to/from the offboard storage compartment and the actual drivenvehicle. The system accordingly delivers the package to any authorizedreceiver, even when the authorized receiver is an employee within theservice company offering the share-use vehicle service. Packages beingtransported can have a wide range of monetary values, with the need todynamically vary the rules of engagement to an authorized retriever tobalance technology transparency, user ease, and package security. Thus amonetary value threshold is established for at least one packagecontained within the at least one storage compartment (or alternativelyfor the aggregate monetary value of all the packages within the at leastone storage compartment. The rules of engagement include control of thelock actuator such as enabling the host geofence to have anauthorization limit less than the monetary value threshold for the atleast one package contained with the at least one storage compartment.

Another preferred embodiment of the invention is to utilize themultifunctional cameras with a forward facing field of view towards thevehicle in front of it to both coordinate the movement of all of thevehicles (i.e., actual driven vehicle, vehicle on any side(s) relativeto the actual driven vehicle). For example the camera of a vehiclebehind the actual driven vehicle can establish a visual record anddetect the presence of the package within the at least one storagecompartment of the actual driven vehicle. This feature is essential inminimizing theft or accidental loss of transported packages. Anotheressential feature of the invention is only enabling the lock actuator tobe enabled when the host geofence is overlapping with the at least onestorage compartment geofence. Yet another essential feature of theinvention is to coordinate a series of queues to establish concurrentconvergence of the actual driven vehicle, the actual transportedpackage, and with/without the actual vehicle user to both expedite theprocess for all parties and to minimize lost time. It is understood thatthe system can minimize queue time for the user, for the driver, for thevehicle, and/or for the automated retriever system (i.e., robot asauthorized package receiver). It is further understood that the systemcan alternatively maximize generated revenue, or optimize systemperformance through a convenience factor or weighted cost factor.Location and identifier of each package, each driver, each vehicle, andeach user is essential for dynamic and variable operations such asexternally influenced by human variability, traffic variability, andmaintenance variability. It is imperative that the system operatessafely, and each person whether a driver, user, authorized receiver,etc. preferably has a safety indicator visually present at any timerequired to maintain safe operations. The preferred embodiment requiresan established bi-directional confirmation such as during the safe entryby the actual user into the actual driven vehicle.

It should be noted that in all embodiments of the invention, the user ofa vehicle is not limited to the driver of the vehicle and may includevehicle passengers. In fact the core embodiments of the inventionanticipate passengers that have no relationship to the driver, andfurther that the driver has no direct ownership or even indirectownership relationship to the vehicle.

While the invention has been described in connection with variousembodiments, it will be understood that the invention is capable offurther modifications. This application is intended to cover anyvariations, uses or adaptations of the invention following, in general,the principles of the invention, and including such departures from thepresent disclosure as, within the known and customary practice withinthe art to which the invention pertains.

I claim:
 1. A shared-use vehicle management system comprised of at leasttwo shared-use vehicles including a first vehicle and a second vehicle,wherein the first vehicle has at least one storage compartment, whereinthe at least one storage compartment is a trunk at the rear of the firstvehicle, wherein the first vehicle has a vehicle onboard computersystem, wherein the second vehicle has a vehicle onboard computersystem, wherein the shared-use vehicle management system is comprised ofa computer, a picture database, and at least one camera that is offboardof the first vehicle, offboard camera is operable to scan the contentswithin the first vehicle's trunk and to take at least one picture of thefirst vehicle's trunk, a communications link to enable communicationexchanging the at least one picture from the offboard camera to eitherthe shared-use vehicle management system system or the first vehicleonboard computer system.
 2. The shared-use vehicle management systemaccording to claim 1 wherein the first vehicle has a container withinthe first vehicle trunk, wherein the shared-use vehicle managementsystem is further comprised of an authorized retriever operable toremove the container from the first vehicle trunk.
 3. The shared-usevehicle management system according to claim 1 wherein the offboardcamera is operable to both determine the location of the at least twoshared-use vehicles and to scan the contents within the first vehicle'strunk.
 4. The shared-use vehicle management system according to claim 1wherein the offboard camera is the second vehicle operable also as aforward facing camera operable to scan the contents within the firstvehicle's trunk and to take at least one picture of the first vehicle'strunk.
 5. A shared-use vehicle management system comprising at least twovehicles including a first vehicle and a second vehicle, whereby each ofthe two vehicles has an onboard computer and at least one onboardmultifunctional camera, at least one vehicle location system operable todetermine the location of the first vehicle and the location of thesecond vehicle, wherein the shared-use vehicle management system has acomputer operable to control an automated movement of the location ofthe first vehicle relative to the location of the second vehicle andwherein the at least one onboard multifunctional camera takes a pictureand communicates a movement command based on the picture and thelocation of the first vehicle relative to the second vehicle location.6. The shared-use vehicle management system according to claim 5 furthercomprised of a host sensor having a host location and a host geofence,wherein the first vehicle multifunctional camera is a vehicle sidecamera operable as a rear facing camera to view a blindspot of the firstvehicle and whereby the vehicle management system computer is operableto calculate an angle between the first vehicle and the second vehicle7. The shared-use vehicle management system according to claim 5 wherebythe first vehicle multifunctional camera is a backward facing cameraoperable to view the second vehicle behind it and to calculate thedistance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle and wherebythe second vehicle multifunctional camera is a forward facing cameraoperable to validate the distance between the first vehicle and thesecond vehicle as calculated by either the vehicle management systemcamera or the first vehicle onboard computer.
 8. The shared-use vehiclemanagement system according to claim 5 wherein the first vehicle isrepresented by a geofence, wherein the second vehicle is represented bya geofence, and whereby the vehicle management system computer operatesan automated movement system having a command language with one termselected from approaching, leaving, or overlapping for theinterrelationship of the first vehicle geofence and the second vehiclegeofence.